Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator for raising this matter which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley.

The role of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government during a severe weather event is to ensure local authorities are prepared to respond properly to ameliorate the worst effects of those aspects for which they have direct responsibility. Local authorities are required to act as the lead agency to co-ordinate the activities of the other principal response agencies, the Garda Síochána and the Health Service Executive, using the major emergency management framework, as appropriate, with the voluntary agencies and the Defence Forces to limit the effects on individuals who may be at risk. When effective emergency plans are in place, management of the response falls to the local authorities, working with the other response agencies.

The framework for major emergency management provides for its co-ordination structures and arrangements to be used, regardless of whether a major emergency is declared. It is important to note that these arrangements were implemented at local and regional level as required by local circumstances. It has been widely recognised that the local authorities, working with the other agencies, discharged their functions in a most commendable manner last winter. I am satisfied that there was an active and sustained response to the severe weather conditions, not just by the local authorities and the other principal response agencies at local level but also at national level, with the support of the Defence Forces and other statutory and voluntary bodies.

The national steering group which oversaw the development and roll-out of the framework for major emergency management carried out a review of the response to the severe weather event. It established that the arrangements set out in the framework were fit for purpose and operated satisfactorily. As the recent report of the joint committee illustrates, the response to a severe weather event is a cross-departmental responsibility. Consequently, the review of responses by Departments to these events is being overseen by the Government task force on emergency planning. Implementation of one of the issues identified in the review relating to the national steering group is being led by my Department. This approach also includes external consideration of the reviews undertaken by Departments to validate the reviews for completeness against best international practice and suggest a standard template to assist Departments in undertaking future reviews. This external examination will have regard to the committee's report.

As suggested in the committee's report, the Minister has asked the Department to complete its review of the severe weather emergencies before the end of October. The review will have the benefit of being able to consider the committee's recommendations in areas that fall within my areas of responsibility.